Wooden windows double glazing in Frinton-on-Sea
12 Oct
Secondary glazing Essex – Alternative solution
Our alternative to secondary glazing service in Essex offers triple glazing performance by fitting vacuum glazing into existing sashes, eliminating the need for additional framing.
VIG glass substitutes all types of secondary glazing
Vacuum-insulated glass is 2x more energy efficient compared to secondary glazing.
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- Aesthetics – Some people feel secondary glazing looks unattractive from the outside or inside. Extra glazing bars and panes of glass can alter the look of your home.
- Reduced natural light – Secondary glazing creates another layer between you and the outside, which can marginally reduce the amount of natural light coming into a room. This may make some spaces feel slightly darker.
- Extra cleaning – You now have an extra layer of glass that needs cleaning and maintenance. This adds a minor inconvenience factor.
- Cramped Window Operation and Reduced Space: Secondary glazing can make operating the original windows difficult and awkward. The extra framework also takes up valuable space.
Comparing secondary glazing and VIG glass
Vacuum-insulated glazing offers better insulation than triple glazing and secondary glazing and doesn’t require a 20 mm gap behind your window to be effective.
Secondary glazing
Double glazing orignal frames with VIG glass
Appearance
Add second framing from the inereor side
Look sleek as orginal window.
Listed builsing approval
Does not need a permission
90% approval rate
Thermal insulation
1.7 W/m²K – 2.7W/(m²K)
0.48 – 0.7W/(m²K) same as triple glazing
Noise reduction
30dB – 45dB Depending on air gap between the existing primary window and the new secondary glazed unit.
35 dB – 39 dB
Cost (Materials and installetion)
£500 – £2200 By installing secondary glazing, you will need to allocate a separate budget for sash window maintenance, whereas reglazing encompasses the cost of sash window refurbishment.
£1500 per avarage window Price includes window frame restoration, draught-proofing, VIG glass cost of production and installation, painting.
Cost of refurbishing existing window frames
no included in secondary glazing price
Included in the price
Light transmission
90%
78% – 79%
Security
Additional glazing adds additional security.
Toughened glass
Suitable glazing solution for Grade 2 listed properties
Planning applications for reglazing wooden windows in listed properties currently have a high approval rate, with over 90% of applications being approved.
Such a high approval rate results from our reglazing service being well-aligned with the guidelines and requirements for listed properties.
Here are just some of the requirements our service meets:
- Original wooden frames are preserved, including original Georgian bars.
- VIG glazing has a thin profile and can be fitted into existing sashes.
- Vacuum glazing has a long service life of over 25 years.
- The wooden frames are restored during reglazing.
Guarantees
An extensive guarantee covers all elements of our reglazing service, providing peace of mind.
Guarantee on paintwork
Guarantee on VIG glazing
Guarantee on repairs made with Accoya
How much does it cost?
Reglazing traditional sash windows with toughened vacuum insulated glass (VIG) double glazing is typically priced at around £1700 per window.
- The cost of VIG glass and reglazing service is £800
- The draught-proofing costs £300-360
- Restoration and painting £600
This cost includes the VIG installation, draught-proofing, and thorough restoration of the frame and sashes, often matching or even undercutting the cost of premium secondary glazing for listed buildings.
Unlike secondary glazing that adds another pane, this method includes essential window frame restoration, eliminating the need for separate frame repair expenses.
What’s included in secondary glazing service in Essex
Double glazing retrofitting
Supply and installation of Vacuum Double-Glazing
Window frame restoration
Restoration and rot repair for window frames and sashes
Customer testimonials
Secondary glazing installation process
- Book a free quote —>
We fully survey your windows and provide recommendations for reglazing and restoration. - We help you with building consent applications. Over 90% of our applications are approved. This is only applicable to Grade 2 listed properties. If your property is not listed, we will skip this step.
- When you receive approval, we will place the order for the production of a custom vacuum double-glazed unit.
- Our highly skilled craftspeople restore and reglaze your existing sash windows.
Past projects
Sash windows restoration in West Essex
11 Apr
Double glazing Listed Grade 2 building
9 Mar
Retrofit double-glazing Essex
3 Mar
Reglazing timber windows Farnborough
10 Oct
Reglazing sash windows in Alresford
3 Oct
Frequently asked questions about secondary glazing & VIG glass
Which is better, secondary or double glazing?
Double glazing your existing wooden windows is a far better option than installing secondary glazing.
It offers the same or better energy efficiency and sound reduction without restricting how you open and close your windows. Additionally, it doesn’t take up any additional space.
Do you need permission to reglaze windows with VIG glazing?
Yes, indeed. The reglazing of existing wooden windows with vacuum glazing boasts a high approval rate; over 90% of applications are approved.
This rate is on the rise as more conservation officers become aware of vacuum glazing.
What is the minimum gap for secondary glazing?
The recommended minimum gap for secondary glazing typically ranges from 100 to 200 millimetres (mm). This space is essential for maximizing the thermal and sound insulation properties of the secondary glazing.
However, with our reglazing service, there’s no need to utilize any space behind your windows. We install vacuum glazing in place of single glazing, eliminating the need for additional spacing.
Can you open your windows with secondary glazing?
Yes, but with secondary glazing, opening your windows becomes a two-step process.
In contrast, when VIG (Vacuum Insulated Glass) is installed, the windows open as usual, maintaining the simplicity and convenience of their operation.
What is VIG glass?
VIG, or Vacuum Insulated Glass, is a type of high-performance glazing that uses a vacuum layer between two panes of glass. This vacuum layer, which effectively eliminates the air space typically found in traditional double glazing, significantly reduces heat transfer through the glass.
This makes VIG highly efficient in terms of thermal insulation, providing similar or even better insulation than conventional double or triple glazing but in a thinner profile.